Ruben Gallego, a Democrat, has defeated Republican Kari Lake in the race for Arizona’s U.S. Senate seat. Gallego’s victory marks a significant shift in the state’s political landscape, as Republicans have held the seat for over three decades.
Gallego, a former Marine and state legislator, ran on a platform of economic populism and support for abortion rights. Lake, a former television news anchor, campaigned on a conservative agenda that included support for former President Donald Trump.
The race was closely watched as a bellwether for the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Gallego’s victory suggests that Democrats may be able to make gains in Arizona, a state that has become increasingly competitive in recent years.